Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!mann
From: mann@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Shannon Mann)
Subject: Re: MINIX on the Amiga...
Message-ID: <1990Sep24.114627.14857@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
Summary: my experience with minix
Organization: Computing Services, University of Waterloo
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 90 11:46:27 GMT
Lines: 111

In article <90262.224308JKT100@psuvm.psu.edu> JKT100@psuvm.psu.edu (JKT) writes:
>>2. MINIX 1.5 FEATURES (IBM, Macintosh, Atari, and Amiga versions)
>>  - Full multiprogramming (multiple programs can run at once)
>
>Ok, we've all heard how MultiFinder on the Mac supposedly multi-
>tasks too, but when you actually inspected it, it actually task
>switches.  Because this posting did not use the term "multi-task"
>is it possible that the programs do not actually run at once, but
>task switch, with only one running at a time?

Minix uses true pre-emptive multi-tasking, just like the Amiga.

>>4. HARDWARE REQUIRED
>>          Commodore Amiga 500 or 2000 with at least 1M of RAM. One 720K
>>          diskette drive is sufficient.
>
>Obviously someone thinks the Amiga is an IBM clone, saying that the
>floppies are 720K...  :-(

No.  Minix on the Amiga uses 720k floppies that are compatible with
the ones on the ST.  The ST programs are binary compatible with
the Amiga programs...  Minix does not use the AmigaDOS filesystem,
but its own UNIX-like filesystem.

>More importantly, is it truly necessary for them to require a HD
>driver?  Is there no way they could make use of existing drivers
>with a simple interface?  Seems silly to re-invent the wheel....

I believe you have it the other way around.  Same interfaces, different 
drivers (interface=hardware / driver=software)

New drivers are needed.  The drivers connect the FS portion of the operating
system to the hardware.

Have absolutely no fear, there are plenty of people out there to write one
for a drive just like yours.  Experience has shown that things in Minix that
are broke get fixed pretty quickly.  Modifying existing ST drivers should be
relatively trivial...

>>                    It is also permitted for MINIX owners to change the
>>software to suit their needs and to distribute diff listings containing
>>their changes freely.
>
>Whoops.  This is what has caused many problems in the UNIX world.
>People making mods is a good idea, but history shows us that a central
>site to coordinate updates is required if a standard version is to
>be maintained.

This is being done, and is co-ordinated through the newsgroup comp.os.minix
Minix is the only operating system world-wide where you get the chance to
communicate directly with those writing it! :-)  Tannenbaum himself responds
to questions, as well as a host of referees

To be certain, there are dialects of Minix around, especially for those wanting 
linear addressing on their '386 machines.  (snicker, snicker :-)  Most of the
changes even from those systems will probably make its way into the standard
distribution...  Eventually...

>>        Will it multi-task under amiga? (Boot Amiga and then go Minix or
>>        is it a hog?)

Minix takes over the machine.  There is an effort already to make it run
under AmigaDOS.  Tannenbaum/P-H will not be supporting such a project.

>>        I saw a post about GUI for MINIX but the problem was lack of
>>        graphics.lib. Anybody have any suggestions.
>
>                       If MINIX doesn't offer any graphics support,
>it probably won't last all that long, and will follow CP/M to the grave.

Minix is an educational tool.  As one it will outlast AmigaDOS, MS-DOS,
OS/2, etc...  Lest not forget that UNIX, in one form or another, has been
around since 1969 (68?)

As a multi-tasking computer with a great user interface, there is nothing
quite like the Amiga and AmigaDOS.

As a educational tool to teach systems level programming and design, there
is nothing quite like Minix.

>>                        Alexei
>                                                            Kurt

Personal testimony (:-)

Speaking from experience, I have used a Minix system for 9 months.  It
went from a machine where you had to ask the other user what he was
running before editing a file to a machine that was fast, stable, clean,
a joy to work on.  The hardware went from a 640kB V20 based XT to a
25MHz '386, w/64kB of 25 nanosecond cache.  From a flakey version 1.2 (16bit)
to a very stable v1.5.10 (32bit), which is the version you would get.

Still has problems, but, there are about 15000 hackers out there working on
them.  Some of them in a major way (like Bruce Evans' 32bit C compiler, and 
his 32bit, '386 version of the OS)

This is not the operating system for the inexperienced user.  If you have
never bothered/had the chance to compile software for your machine, this
is probably not for you.  If you like writing programs, and want to know
a tremendous amount more about how things are done at the system level,
Minix has its merits.

I have tremendous admiration for what the Amiga can do, in its native form.

I have tremendous admiration for what Minix attempts to do, and manages...

Minix is not for everyone...

        -=-
-=- Shannon Mann -=- mann@watserv1.UWaterloo.Ca
        -=-